Patriot’s Day is New England. The holiday celebrates the battles in Lexington and Concord during the Revolutionary War, but has always been much more than that.

Really, for New Englanders it is the start of spring and a reason to celebrate all that is Boston. Between the start of school vacation week, the odd 11 a.m. starting time for the Red Sox game, and usually a night Bruins and/or Celtics game, there are countless reasons to jump on the T and spend the day reveling in the great city.

And, of course, there’s the Boston Marathon. The all-day event that has taken off from the quintessential New England town of Hopkinton for 117 years and stretches through a total of eight cities and towns will unfortunately now have an asterisk next to it.

As a company that calls Boston home - and one that knows the importance of exercise and health, and the need for determination and perseverance, true essentials of a Boston Marathon participant – we, like everyone else were hit hard by the events that unfolded just before 3 p.m. on Monday.

Numerous companies and individuals across the country and the world – both IHRSA members and non-members alike – have sent well wishes, thoughts and prayers. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their concerns for us, the residents of Massachusetts and everyone involved in the Boston Marathon.

We here at IHRSA would like to send our condolences to the families affected by this horrific event, and thank all of the medical personnel, police, fire, volunteers and bystanders who rushed to assist the injured.

Boston is a strong and resilient community. We will get through this stronger and show those responsible that their cowardly acts will not break us.